The Six-Cent Loaf: John Rapley, head of Associated Baking Companies, executes a commercial coup that raises the price of bread to 6 cents a loaf. The price increase has a devastating effect on Mary Quinn, a Valencian factory girl who supports her younger brother Joel and sister Norah. Because of the higher cost, Mary can no longer afford to buy as much bread as she previously could for her family, impacting her ability to provide for them.